Fashion Friday

 Spring may seem far away but Paris boutiques are gearing up even as winter sales are still going strong.

 

 Soldes d'Hiver 2025

Ends Tuesday February 4

 

Baskets and bags

 

 

Baskets and tote bags for sale are usually a sign that a market is nearby.

 

Find-a-gift Friday

 

 

With no lack of shopping options and the holidays swiftly upon us shoppers head for off-radar small boutiques to find that unique something.

Above:

Galerie Vivienne

4 rue des Petits-Champs 75002

 

Window Wednesday

 

Holiday window displays are taking over Paris department stores, many with moving parts.

 

Above:

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche

24 rue de Sèvres 75007

 

More:

Galeries Lafayette

 40 Boulevard Haussmann 75009

 

Printemps Haussmann

64 Boulevard Haussmann 75009

Le BHV Marais

52 rue de Rivoli

 

Samaritaine

9 rue de la Monnaie 75001

 

🎄

 

 

Tower Tuesday

 

 

Playful display of Eiffel Towers decorate the windows of Le Bon Marché (Rive Gauche) department store.

 

 

 

Excess baggage

A gigantic Louis Vuitton suitcase covers the main LVMH store on the Champs-Élysées.

 

Squaring off

 

 

Every year Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche gives carte blanche to a contemporary artist, and this year it's Daniel Buren of the renowned Palais Royal black-and-white-striped columns.

Exhibition:

Aux Beaux Carrés: Travaux In Situ

Daniel Buren

 

Ends February 18, 2024

 

 

7th heaven

 

View from 7th floor terrace of Printemps Haussmann department store.

 

***

 

 SOLDES D'HIVER / January Sales

Wednesday January 10 - Tuesday February 6

Fashion Friday

 

 

  

New: stunning spaces devoted entirely to quality vintage clothing

 

Printemps Department Store

 7th Floor

64 Boulevard Haussmann 75009

Throwback Thursday

 

 

Throwback to recent trip to London over the holidays.

Above: life-sized moving window displays at ultra department store Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly

***

London: 3 hours (or less) from Paris

 

Soldes out

 

Today marks the last day of the summer sales.

Above: sign in a window says dernière démarque (last markdown) 

Fashion Friday

 Some fun fashion finds at a boutique around the corner from the Café de Flore.

Dice Kayek

15 rue Saint-Benoît 75006

 

In the pink

 

Art installation at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche department store.

Golden globes

 

Entrance to an underground shopping mall in an enclosed atrium with tropical plants.

Window stopping

 

  

A couple stops to look in a shop window on the Left Bank.

 

***

 

Annual winter soldes end February 8

L'avenue

 

Luxury boutique shopping on Avenue Montaigne.

 

                                                                             

Above: Dior #30 / #48, Prada #12, Louis Vuitton #22, Giorgio Armani #2 / #18

 Also:

VALENTINO #17 / #19

HARRY WINSTON #29

JIMMY CHOO #34 

NINA RICCI #39  

CHANEL #42 / #51

CHLOÉ #44

VERSACE #45

RALPH LAUREN #52

DOLCE & GABBANA #54

 

More....

 

***

 

Lunch:

 L'Avenue

41 avenue Montaigne 75008

 

Afternoon Tea:

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

 25 avenue Montaigne 75008

Fashion masks

What appeared to be bikini tops from a distance turned out to be masks.

Below: the mask as essential accessoire; masks to match

Le traiteur

In Paris, the neighborhood traiteur - translated into English as "caterer," similar to a deli but not quite the same  - along with supermarkets, boulangeries, and butcher shops, is remaining open during the now prolonged confinement. These purveyors of prepared dishes to take away date to the middle ages when homes lacked kitchens. 

 

French traiteurs are said to be frequented primarily by a discerning elderly clientèle, and feature delicacies from entrées to desserts, making them an overlooked - and welcome - meal alternative. A google "search nearby" around an address should reveal where they are hiding - but be sure and call first to confirm that they are still in business! - BPJ

The end of the line

Tourists from China waiting for luxury brand store Hermès to open last fall.

Below: yesterday

Out to dry

A small boutique tucked into a courtyard displays its wares despite the rain.